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Adding to the Maldives’ uniqueness is the fact that it has the “biggest seaplane operations in the world.” Flights to over 60 resorts around the archipelago take off from Malé every day of the week, carrying passengers to their dream holiday destinations.
The visual spectacle of watching the island nation from a seaplane makes it one of the most exciting activities to do in the Maldives. Unquestionably an exhilarating experience, a seaplane ride is a memorable affair for all ages.
Seaplane terminal
The seaplane terminal in Malé is only a few minutes away from the main airport. Therefore, taking a seaplane is a convenient option for passengers wanting to reach their resort quickly.
The resort and airline staff manage the transfers from the airport to the terminal. You simply have to check-in at their counter after landing in Malé.
Just be ready to get wowed as you see all the colorful seaplanes moored alongside the terminal’s wooden plank. It’s a marvelous sight that no photograph can do justice to.
Seaplane airlines
Trans Maldivian Airways (TMA) is the biggest seaplane carrier in the Maldives. It has the “world’s largest seaplane fleet,” consisting of 48 Canadian-built de Havilland Twin Otter aircraft. TMA has its own separate seaplane terminal next to the main one.
After a few years of TMA running most seaplane flights, newer airlines are slowly entering the market. The domestic carrier Maldivian Air now has nine seaplanes flying over the islands.
Manta Air is the other entrant that is making seaplane travel in the Maldives even better.
Unlike other airlines, Manta Air plans to have scheduled seaplane flights. They will publish a monthly calendar, and travelers will get all the details of their seaplane flight while making a resort booking.
Booking and transfers
Booking for a seaplane is not done with the airline directly. Instead, travelers need to request the same from their resort.
In most cases, once you make a reservation with an island retreat, they will email you asking about a preferred mode of transport – boat or plane. Once you decide on a seaplane, they will then take extra information about your flight arrival time at Malé Airport.
The airline will coordinate with the hotel and arrange for the transfer. Once you arrive at Malé Airport, approach the staff at your resort desk for further instructions. For more information about Velana International Airport, check out our Maldives Airport Guide.
Arrival and check-in
Upon meeting your resort representative at arrival, they will take you to the seaplane terminal. This is either in a bus or a van. The seaplane terminal is only a 5-minute car ride from the main airport.
Once at the seaplane terminal, passengers can wait in the common areas or special lounges. Several luxury resorts have their own VIP lounges with snacks and shower facilities.
The seaplane airport in the Maldives has three terminals. Terminal A has sitting areas, TV, WiFi, eateries, and a few resort lounges. The exclusive VIP section with luxurious lounges is in Terminal B. Passengers exit to their seaplanes from Terminal C, which also has standard seating available.
Seaplane facts
There’s nothing more gratifying and exciting than reaching your resort by landing on water near it. However, a few facts about seaplane travel in the Maldives can help decide if it is the right transportation mode for you.
Maldives seaplane schedule
Most seaplanes do not fly on a fixed schedule in the Maldives. Airlines plan the routes on a daily basis. Once you make the booking, the airline factors in other travelers for the same journey. They then inform your resort about the departure time a day before your arrival.
As per government rules, seaplanes only fly during the daytime. Flights start to take off as early as 6:00 in the morning. The last planes to and from the islands usually depart around 16:30.
Baggage limitations
Unfortunately for heavy packers, taking a seaplane can be an issue. Although the airline staff is not very strict, passengers can only book luggage weighing up to 20kg. Some airlines allow 25kg, so check beforehand.
An additional 5kg is allowed as hand baggage. Anything above this is extra. If the flight is full, the airline might even disallow excess baggage.
Boarding pass
Airlines issue a boarding pass for your seaplane trip when you transfer from Malé Airport to your resort. However, there is no boarding pass printed for the return journey.
Ticket charges
Your resort will include the cost of your seaplane ticket in your room’s final charge. You pay for it at the resort. Similarly, to book a seaplane excursion, you will have to go through your resort’s travel desk.
Free seating
There are no designated seats inside the plane. Chairs have no tables and, at most, a pouch to keep your belongings.
You can sit wherever you like. Since there is a 2-1 seating arrangement, couples naturally sit together. The front seats are very popular as they allow a look into the cockpit as well.
No seaplane resorts
Not all resorts in the Maldives offer a seaplane transfer. Some of the retreats near Malé or Hulhumalé are too close to the main airport for a separate flight. The only way to reach these luxury resorts is by boat.
Six Senses Laamu is another exception, but for a different reason. Because this ultra-luxe resort is too far away, it becomes difficult for seaplanes to fly there regularly.
Instead, guests have to take a 35-minute domestic flight to Kadhdhoo Airport first, followed by a 15-minute boat transfer to the island.
Resort arrivals
Resorts have different arrival arrangements for seaplanes. Some have a dock in a far corner of the island for the plane to moor alongside. Others have pontoons in the middle of the sea. This is to keep the island noise-free for the guests. From the wooden float, it is usually a 5–7-minute boat to the retreat’s reception.
Advantages of booking a seaplane
Why should you book a seaplane in the Maldives? Well, there are so many good reasons that we will get down to it right away.
Easy transfers
Upon arriving at Malé Airport, the transfer to the seaplane terminal is smooth and well-organized. Passengers do not have to take a boat to a different location.
Direct drop-off at the resort
The most significant advantage of taking a seaplane in the Maldives is that it drops you directly at the resort. It is a worry-free way to travel where you can check into your room within minutes of landing on the island.
In comparison, if taking a domestic flight, you will first land at an airport. After picking your luggage, you will then have to take a speedboat to your final destination.
Seaplanes are fast
After taking a long-haul flight from your home to the Maldives, everyone is eager to reach their hotel. A seaplane reduces travel time enormously.
A speedboat ride that would take 45 minutes to an hour comes down to a 15–20-minute seaplane flight.
Take-off and landing
Seaplanes are amphibian aircraft that can easily fly off and land or water. Even for the most well-traveled person, it is a spectacular experience to take off into the clear blue skies from the crystal-clear waters of the Maldives.
However, remember that the landing is slightly bumpier than usual when you finally touch down.
Heavenly views
During a holiday in the Maldives, you will come across unmatched gorgeousness around you. But nothing can prepare you for the stunning scenes from the sky. Because seaplanes fly at a low height, you get to see the island nation in its rawest and scenic best. Just make sure you have your cameras in hand before taking a seat.
“No shoes, no news”
The Maldives is famous for its “no shoes, no news” motto. You get a glimpse of this early on as you board a seaplane. Most pilots, several of whom are from places like Germany and Canada, fly the planes barefoot.
In fact, even though they are very professional, you will see them in shorts and not pants in all probability. It’s something unusual and amusing. But in the Maldives, it is totally normal.
Points to consider before booking a seaplane
A transfer on a seaplane in the Maldives is undoubtedly a once-in-a-lifetime experience you do not want to miss. However, as dreamy as it may sound, in reality, it comes with a few limitations.
When booking a seaplane in the Maldives, remember that they are small with limited seating. So, factor in these points before you get too excited about a seaplane experience.
Seaplane flights cost a lot!
Seaplanes are very expensive, especially when you take into account the flying time, which is only 10 minutes to an hour max. While ticket prices differ based on distance, a return flight to and from your resort will cost a minimum of $400 per person.
Expect delays
Since seaplanes do not follow any fixed schedules, you can expect delays, even at the last minute. In normal conditions, passengers have to wait for one to two hours minimum at the terminal before boarding their connection. Moreover, if the sea is choppy or the weather dicey, flights will get postponed.
In-flight experience
A trip on a seaplane is not like taking a regular flight. For starters, seaplanes glide at a low altitude. Therefore, there is no need to pressurize the cabin.
As a result, there is no air-conditioning, and it can get a little hot during the ride. There are fans in the aircraft.
Furthermore, with nothing to help cancel all the sounds, it gets pretty noisy inside the cabin. Airlines usually provide earplugs for this, or remember to pack some in your handbag.
Cabin space
A small plane leads to a smaller and cramped passenger cabin. Seaplanes typically accommodate up to 15 guests, and it can get crowded real fast. The space in the back is for storing luggage only.
Seaplanes are low in height, so you will probably have to bend inside the cabin. There is also no place to move around and no toilets onboard.
Now, the planes are perfectly safe. Still, if you are a nervous flier or claustrophobic, it is better to take a domestic flight, on a larger plane, to an island near your resort.
Seating arrangement
Passengers on a seaplane fly in a 2-1 seating arrangement. So, out of every three travelers, one will not have a window seat.
The whole purpose of flying in a seaplane in the Maldives is to admire the islands from a bird’s eye view. Unfortunately, that is not possible if you get stuck in the middle seat.
A blessing in disguise
We talked earlier about how seaplanes in the Maldives fly only during the daytime. This means, if you arrive at Malé late in the afternoon, you cannot take a flight to your resort. The only option, in such a case, is to spend the night in Hulhumalé or Malé.
As a city, Malé is a bustling capital that demands exploration. Unfortunately, many tourists miss out on this opportunity, heading straight to their resort from the airport.
Because Malé is a small island, you can easily see all its main touristic attractions in a day. So, plan your seaplane flights in such a manner that you get at least one night in Malé.
Now, don’t disregard a seaplane flight entirely based on the above.
Instead, consider the fact that you will be inside the plane for only a short period. And when you compare the pros to the cons, the euphoria of witnessing the reefs, sandbanks, islands, and myriad colors of the sea from high above far supersedes any discomfort you might face temporarily.
Alternate seaplane experiences in the Maldives
If you desperately want to fly on a seaplane but do not want to make it a part of your travel journey, there are a couple of ways to still enjoy this experience.
Although expensive, your resort will be able to book a seaplane ride for you as an excursion. Typically, 10 to 20 minutes long, the seaplane flies low enough for you to admire the archipelago’s beauty from a unique vantage point.
These so-called “photo flights” are among the best places for photography in the Maldives. During the ride, you can comfortably click as many photos as you like of the islands below.
Trans Maldivian Air also operates VIP charters on demand for tourists. These charters are ideal if you are traveling in a group.
Travelers can also use a seaplane in the Maldives as a transport option between resorts. When planning that special honeymoon date, impress your loved one by flying them to an underwater restaurant or to a deserted sandbar for a romantic picnic.
N.B.: all information is correct as of post publication date, and prices are subjected to change.
